FIA decides driver with most wins will be champion
The FIA has decided that the driver with the most wins in the season will become the world champion in 2009 in a radical departure from the previous rules.
Motor sport’s governing body met today in Paris to discuss a raft of measures designed to improve the sport but the one expected points-system change did not come to pass. However, the sport will tonight be reeling from the aftershock of the championship-deciding decision, which would have seen Felipe Massa crowned last year instead of Lewis Hamilton.
The drivers’ championship will continue to use the points system, in the event that two or more drivers win the same number of races and for the lower classification, and the constructors’ championship is to remain unchanged.
“The WMSC accepted the proposal from Formula One Management to award the drivers’ championship to the driver who has won the most races during the season,” said the FIA in a statement.
“If two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of wins, the title will be awarded to the driver with the most points, the allocation of points being based on the current 10, 8, 6 etc. system.
“The rest of the standings, from second to last place, will be decided by the current points system. There is no provision to award medals for first, second or third place. The Constructors’ Championship is unaffected.
“The WMSC rejected the alternative proposal from the Formula One Teams’ Association to change the points awarded to drivers finishing in first, second and third place to 12, 9 and 7 points respectively.”
In further controversial moves, the FIA also announced an optional €35m budget cap for the teams for 2010. The budget cap would allow the teams who accepted it more technical freedom, in a veiled threat that standardised parts will be made mandatory for the other teams.
FOTA, the F1 teams’ association whose proposals have been largely rejected by the FIA, released a statement this evening in response.
”Fota would like to express its disappointment and concern at the fact that these have been taken in a unilateral manner,” said FOTA president Luca di Montezemolo.
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bart | Mar 18, 2009 | Reply
so this means that if one racer finishes in first twice, and in second every other race of the year and another racer finishes in first place three times and dead last every other race in the year, the one that won three races is the true champion?
huge mistake
Dave Lombardi | Mar 21, 2009 | Reply
Although I am not in favour of the change to the most wins determining the championship, what it will do is make for more aggressive, and possibly dangerous, racing amongst the top performers. It could become more of a blood sport, as well as create more feuds amongst drivers. It is also likely to split the field between those competing for the drivers championship and those only for Constructors points. The system could also ruin the excitement at the end of the series if the top driver had more than one win ahead of the others. He could not finish and still win. I would prefer the 12, 9, 7 suggestion as a good compromise. I predict they will change it again, especially if a low points car wins. KERS, slicks, aerodynamics…no big deal. Allowing refueling during safety car..great move. I also wish cars could be placed exactly where they were before the safety car. Easy with GPS technology. We are in for an exciting season.